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Childhood vaccinations help protect babies, children and communities against infectious diseases that can cause serious illness, long-term complications or hospitalisation. Vaccines prepare a child’s immune system to recognise and respond to specific infections before exposure occurs. Hout Bay Family Medical Centre provides childhood vaccinations as part of our paediatric, child-health and preventative-care services. Our doctors and nursing team can review your child’s immunisation record, administer available routine vaccines and advise on missed or overdue doses at our family medical practice in Hout Bay, Cape Town.
Babies and young children can be particularly vulnerable to certain infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing. Routine vaccination helps reduce the likelihood of becoming seriously ill and can limit the spread of infection to other children, newborn babies and medically vulnerable people.
South Africa’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation provides routine protection against diseases including tuberculosis, polio, rotavirus infection, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal disease, measles and rubella.
Some vaccines require several doses to build effective protection. Booster doses may also be needed later in childhood to strengthen or maintain immunity.
The Western Cape follows South Africa’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation. The current published schedule includes vaccinations from birth through infancy, early childhood and the school years.
Routine vaccines may include:
Vaccines may include:
The combined vaccine provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, inactivated polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
The second dose of the combined six-in-one vaccine is scheduled.
Vaccines may include:
The first combined measles and rubella vaccine is scheduled.
The third pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is scheduled.
The second combined measles and rubella vaccine is scheduled.
A booster dose of the combined six-in-one vaccine is scheduled.
A booster vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis is scheduled for both boys and girls.
Further booster and school-based vaccinations may include:
The precise vaccine, timing and eligibility can change as national guidance is updated. Parents should bring their child’s vaccination record to every appointment so the healthcare professional can confirm which vaccines are due.
Routine childhood vaccines provide protection against several potentially serious infections.
BCG vaccination is given at birth to help protect young children against severe forms of tuberculosis.
Polio is a viral infection that can affect the nervous system and cause permanent paralysis. Oral and inactivated polio vaccines are included within the childhood schedule.
Rotavirus can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting in babies and young children. The vaccine is administered by mouth during early infancy and has specific age limits for administration.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the throat and breathing. It can also cause heart and nerve complications.
Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through cuts or wounds and cause severe muscle stiffness and spasms. Protection is provided through a series of childhood vaccinations and later boosters.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, can cause prolonged coughing and serious breathing difficulties. It can be particularly dangerous for young babies.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection affecting the liver. Protection is included in the combined infant vaccine series, with an additional birth dose recommended for certain newborns.
Hib infection can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infection, particularly in young children.
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections and bloodstream infections. Several doses of pneumococcal vaccine are given during infancy.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause pneumonia, diarrhoea, inflammation of the brain and other serious complications. The combined measles and rubella vaccine is currently scheduled at six and twelve months in South Africa.
HPV vaccination helps protect against types of human papillomavirus associated with cervical cancer and other HPV-related disease. It is generally provided to eligible children through age-based or school vaccination programmes.
Please bring your child’s Road to Health Booklet, vaccination card or any other available immunisation record to the appointment.
The record allows the doctor or nurse to confirm:
Also bring a list of your child’s current medication and details of any previous allergic or unusual reaction to a vaccination.
Parents who have moved from another country should bring all available vaccination records, even when they use a different schedule or vaccine naming system.
A missed vaccination does not necessarily mean that the entire vaccine series must be restarted. A doctor or nurse can review your child’s age and vaccination history and develop an appropriate catch-up plan.
Catch-up vaccination may be needed when:
Catch-up doses remain available for children who have missed routine vaccinations. The vaccine and timing will depend on the child’s age, previous doses and current national guidance.
Contact Hout Bay Family Medical Centre so that the child’s records can be reviewed before assuming that a vaccine course needs to be restarted.
Before administering a childhood vaccine, the doctor or nurse may ask about:
A mild illness does not always mean that vaccination must be delayed. The healthcare professional will assess your child and advise whether the vaccine can be given safely or should be postponed.
Tell the practice before attending when your child may have a highly contagious infection, such as measles, so that appropriate arrangements can be made and exposure to other patients can be limited.
Depending on the vaccine, it may be administered by injection or by mouth.
Injectable vaccines are usually given into the thigh in babies and younger children or the upper arm in older children. The injection itself generally takes only a few seconds.
The nurse or doctor will:
Parents can help by holding and comforting younger children securely. Remaining calm and explaining the process in simple, reassuring language may also help older children feel less anxious.
Vaccines undergo safety and effectiveness assessment before being approved for use. Their safety continues to be monitored after introduction.
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most vaccine reactions are mild and temporary, while serious reactions are uncommon. The healthcare professional can explain the expected effects and relevant risks of the particular vaccine being administered.
Possible short-term effects may include:
The expected side effects differ between vaccines. Follow the aftercare guidance given at the appointment and contact the practice when symptoms are severe, unusual, worsening or lasting longer than expected.
After vaccination:
Mild redness, tenderness or swelling at the injection site usually improves without treatment. A cool, clean cloth may provide comfort if advised by the healthcare professional.
Do not routinely give medication before vaccination unless your doctor has recommended it for a specific reason.
Serious allergic reactions following vaccination are rare but require immediate treatment.
Tell the doctor or nurse if your child has:
Seek emergency medical assistance if your child develops:
Children with chronic medical conditions may have additional vaccination needs or require an individual vaccination plan.
Tell the doctor if your child has:
Some vaccines may be especially important for medically vulnerable children, while certain live vaccines may not be suitable in particular circumstances. The child’s vaccination plan should be reviewed by a healthcare professional familiar with their medical history.
Keep your child’s Road to Health Booklet or immunisation record in a safe and accessible place.
A complete vaccination record may be needed for:
Check that each vaccination has been entered clearly and that the next appointment date has been recorded.
Hout Bay Family Medical Centre provides routine childhood vaccinations, paediatric care and preventative health services for babies, children and families in Hout Bay and surrounding Cape Town communities. Childhood and routine vaccinations are listed among the services available at the practice.
Our doctors and nursing team can:
Parents searching for childhood vaccinations in Hout Bay, baby immunisations, catch-up vaccines or a trusted family doctor in Cape Town can contact Hout Bay Family Medical Centre to arrange an appointment.
Because vaccine stock and availability can change, please contact the practice beforehand to confirm that the required childhood vaccine is available.
Seek urgent medical assistance after vaccination if your child develops:
For non-emergency concerns such as persistent fever, significant swelling, unusual crying or symptoms that are not improving, contact Hout Bay Family Medical Centre or another healthcare professional for advice.
